Attorney-at-law Bert Samuels says the police must have reasonable suspicion that an offence is being committed, or is likely to be committed when stopping motorists.

Addressing attendees at a legal-aid fair hosted by the Norman Manley Law School Legal-Aid Clinic yesterday (January 9), Mr. Samuels spoke on the topic “Should Persons Allow the Police to Search their Vehicles.”

He said a fishing exercise that is not intelligence-driven, aimed at finding anything concealed is prohibited.

Mr. Samuels also pointed to the issue of the breach of the right to privacy in relation to some police operations.

The Attorney also raised the matter of police searches of vehicles, and the occupants not being given the opportunity to observe or prevent the planting of evidence.

He questioned why the police are not equipped with body-worn cameras.

Samuels said members of the security forces have a duty to dress appropriately and have regulation numbers clearly exposed so they can be easily identified.